Maviş: Akkor Case Will Either Pave the Way for the ECHR or Set a Precedent for Mixed Marriage Issues

Maviş made important statements about current issues, particularly regarding mixed marriages and the Cyprus problem.

"Cypriot Greek Authorities' Decisions on Mixed Marriages Conflict with the European Convention on Human Rights"

Maviş responded to questions on mixed marriages, highlighting that Turkish Cypriots born in Cyprus are deprived of their citizenship rights. He pointed out that the decisions made by the South Cyprus government contradict the European Convention on Human Rights. He stressed that no Turkish Cypriot should be deprived of universal citizenship rights due to political disputes among community leaders.

He noted that while the Turkish Cypriot community remains divided on this issue, unity prevails in the south.

"Presenting an Established Method as If It Were Untried is an Obstacle to the Cyprus Problem"

Maviş linked the issue of mixed marriages directly to the Cyprus problem, stating that the citizenship rights of children born from mixed marriages have been subjected to decisions by the Council of Ministers in the Republic of Cyprus, which has become an obstacle to the resolution of the Cyprus issue. He further emphasized that in Northern Cyprus, decision-makers are presenting a tried solution as if it had never been attempted, which is also an impediment to resolving the Cyprus issue.

Criticizing the Cypriot Greek authorities for linking key decisions to the Cyprus problem's resolution, Maviş argued that the Greek Cypriot leadership uses rights derived from the Republic of Cyprus as tools in political disputes. He also expressed doubts about the good faith of the Greek Cypriot authorities, suggesting that passport issuance is being delayed to prevent setting a precedent from individual cases, which is seen as a political maneuver.

"If Akkor's Case Has a Positive Outcome, It Will Set a Precedent; If Negative, It Will Be Taken to the European Court of Human Rights"

Speaking to Ulaş Barış at Kıbrıs Postası TV, Maviş announced once again that the decision of the High Constitutional Court of the Republic of Cyprus on the case filed by Eda Hançer Akkor regarding children from mixed marriages would be announced on February 21 at 09:30. If Akkor is denied her passport rights, the case will be taken to the European Court of Human Rights, following the exhaustion of local remedies. Should the court rule in Akkor's favor, it could serve as a precedent and potentially provide solutions to the issues faced by many victims of mixed marriages. However, Maviş also pointed out that not all victims of mixed marriages may benefit from the same solution, though the court decision would still be an important roadmap.

"Turkish Cypriots in Northern Cyprus Are Deprived of Citizenship Rights While Struggling with the Status Quo"

Maviş also discussed the contradiction in the current requirements for acquiring citizenship in the Republic of Cyprus, where, for a person to obtain identity, it is necessary for one parent to be a citizen, and for the individual to have been born in Turkey or have parents married in Turkey. He pointed out that Turkish Cypriots living in Northern Cyprus, who are struggling against the status quo, are suffering from this condition.

"The Rotational Presidency Agreement with Cypriot Greek Unions Allows Our Unions to Communicate with European Mechanisms"

Maviş also touched on KTÖS's role at the international level, highlighting the rotational presidency agreement made in 2015 with the Greek Cypriot union to represent Cyprus in trade union matters. This agreement, he said, has strengthened the unions' communication with European mechanisms and prevented their exclusion. Despite the challenges, Maviş suggested that this cooperation could serve as a model for political relations.

He also mentioned that due to the Republic of Cyprus not registering educational institutions in Northern Cyprus, KTÖS could not fully participate in the Erasmus+ programs. However, they plan to initiate Erasmus+ agreements with several European countries through the unions.

Maviş noted that with the educational culture statutes of KTÖS, the Secondary Education Teachers' Union, and KTAMS, Turkish Cypriot unions could help facilitate the sharing of full Erasmus+ programs and other international initiatives.

Final Thoughts on Mixed Marriages

Maviş concluded by saying that the Cyprus issue remains one of the biggest obstacles to addressing the issue of mixed marriages. He expressed hope that the outcome of Eda Hançer Akkor's case would provide an important roadmap for resolving the mixed marriage issue.